(Thursday, 12:00PM; House; Akihito's PoV)

We begin the trek towards Monika's house. Once we reach there, Natsuki heads inside to collect her stuff. After a few minutes, she comes back outside.

Natsuki: "Okay, I got all my stuff."

Aki: "Want me to carry a suitcase?"

Natsuki: "You think I'm weak or something?"

Aki: "N-no! It's not that!"

Natsuki: "Hahaha, I'm just joking. And yes, that would be really appreciated."

Natsuki then hands me a suitcase, which I take. Wow, these are really light. I'm tempted to offer Natsuki to take her other suitcase, but I leave it.

Aki: "I already called Sayori beforehand to let her know we'd be there soon. She's currently getting ready."

Natsuki: "That's good to know. I wonder how living with Sayori will be like."

Aki: "Well, she's gonna ask you to bake a lot of cupcakes, that's for sure. And you're probably gonna do a lot of cooking, since she isn't capable of doing it."

Natsuki: "What do you mean by that?"

Aki: "Y'know, the whole thing about her almost burning her house down by boiling water."

Natsuki: "Oh, that. I'm sure she's improved since then."

Aki: "Let me know if she does."

We soon reach Sayori's house, and Monika knocks on the door. Almost immediately, Sayori opens the door. Wait, how is Sayori gonna act when she sees-

Sayori: "I'm so exci- OHMYGODNATSUKIWHATHAPPENEDTOYOU-"

Welp, that answers my question.

Natsuki: "Calm the fuck down! I can't understand what you're saying!"

Sayori: "What happened to you?!"

Natsuki: "What do you think?"

Sayori: "Oh right… sorry…"

Natsuki: "It's fine. And I'll be fine in a few days, don't worry about me."

Sayori: "If you say so… anyways, come on in!"

We three enter Sayori's house.

Natsuki: "Wow Sayori, your house looks really cool!"

Sayori: "No no no, our house."

Natsuki: "Alright alright, our house."

I then lean towards Monika and whisper into her ear.

Aki: "You think they're gonna get along well?"

Natsuki: "I heard that!"

Aki: "Heh, sorry."

Natsuki: "To answer your question, yes we are going to get along."

Sayori: "You got that right!"

Aki: "Alright, I think we're gonna leave you two alone now. You guys have some bonding time. Come on, Monika, let's get going."

Natsuki: "Ooh, gonna have some fun time?"

Aki: "...shut up."

We all laugh as Monika and I leave. As we're leaving, I'm able to catch a little bit of Sayori and Natsuki's conversation.

Sayori: "So, what should we do first, housemate?"

Natsuki: "Hmm… I don't know…"

Sayori: "Ooh, I got it!"

Heh, they're gonna get along perfectly.

Monika: "Ahaha, they're gonna get along perfectly, I just know it."

Aki: "My exact thoughts."

Monika: "So, what now?"

Aki: "Not sure…"

Monika: "Hmm…"

Aki: "Hey, when does winter break end?"

Monika: "Uhh, next week I think."

Aki: "Wait what?! We only get one week this year?!"

Monika: "No no no, next week is also a break. After that we head back to school."

Aki: "Oh thank god…"

Monika: "Sorry, I should've been more specific."

Aki: "It's okay. And to answer your previous question, want to have a club get-together?"

Monika: "What do you mean?"

Aki: "Well, we've certainly been through a lot these past few days. Having a small get-together will cool us down."

Monika: "That's true… alright. I'll call Yuri to see if she's okay with it. You go to Sayori's house and ask them if they're okay with it as well."

Aki: "Alright."

I'm about to head back to Sayori's house when Monika calls out to me."

Monika: "Aki, wait!"

Aki: "What is it?"

Monika: "What should I tell Yuri? We should have a plan first, right?"

Aki: "Oh right… how about bowling like last time?"

Monika: "Really? You can't think of anything else?"

Aki: "I mean, there's nothing else around here for fun. The arcade would cost way too much for the five of us."

Monika: "Alright, bowling it is."

Aki: "Thanks, Monika. I'm heading to Sayori's now."

Monika: "Wait there for me. I'll come there once I call Yuri."

I give Monika a thumbs up before dashing towards Sayori's home. Once I reach there, I knock on the door. Almost immediately, Sayori answers.

Sayori: "Aki? What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're already checking up on us, it's only been ten minutes!"

Aki: "Heh, no I'm not. I'm here to ask if you and Natsuki would like to have a club get-together. Monika's calling Yuri right now, and we're planning on going bowling again."

Sayori: "But what about Natsuki?"

Natsuki: "What do you mean 'what about Natsuki?'"

Sayori: "Oh, hey Natsuki! When did you come here?"

Natsuki: "When you first opened the door. Now answer my question."

Sayori: "Well, you have your uh…"

Natsuki: "I can easily cover up my bruises. Trust me, I've done it plenty of times, and no one's noticed."

Sayori: "Really?"

Natsuki: "Yep. Even at club meetings."

Sayori: "Wow, I guess you're right. Okay, give us ten minutes and we'll be there. Is that okay, Aki?"

Aki: "Yeah. Um, do you mind if I stay here while I wait? Monika said she'd be here as soon as she's done calling Yuri."

Sayori: "Yeah that's fine! Come on in!"

I then step inside Sayori's house.

Sayori: "Okay, give us some time for us to get ready. If Monika comes here while we're gone, just open the door, okay?"

Aki: "Alright."

Sayori and Natsuki then go upstairs. I pull out my phone to pass the time while waiting for Monika. A few minutes later, there's a knock on the door. I head up to open it, and Monika is out there.

Aki: "Hey, they're getting ready. Come on in."

Monika then comes inside and takes a seat on a couch. I then take a seat next to her.

Aki: "So, what did Yuri say?"

Monika: "She said that she's okay with it. She's coming here since we're all already here. Remember, she doesn't know that Natsuki is living here, so you have to act like we all met up here."

Aki: "Alright."

Natsuki: "Sounds good."

Aki: "Jesus- how are you so good at sneaking around?!"

Natsuki: "Being small has it's perks."

Aki: "Alright, next time, please let us know that you're here. I don't want to get a heart attack and die."

Monika suddenly looks worried.

Aki: "Something wrong, Monika?"

Monika: "N-no… it's just that you brought up having a heart attack…"

Aki: "Oh… sorry I completely forgot…"

Monika: "How can you just forget that?!"

Aki: "Calm down… I've been trying not to think about it, that's all."

Monika: "B-but that doesn't mean you can just take everything lightly!"

Natsuki: "Cut him some slack, Monika. I wouldn't want to think about having a heart disease either. No offense, Aki."

Aki: "None taken. And she's right, Monika. I'm fully aware of my condition, but I don't want to constantly think about it. Because then I'd be living my life worrying all the time, and there's no fun in that."

Monika: "Okay… but don't bring that up again. I still worry for you, you know."

Aki: "Monika, thank you for worrying, but please don't. I'm not going anywhere."

Monika: "Promise?"

Aki: "I promise."

Just then, Sayori comes downstairs.

Sayori: "Alright, let's go!"

Monika:" Hold your horses, Sayori. I told Yuri to come here to meet up. And remember, she doesn't know that Natsuki's living here, so you gotta act like we're all meeting up at your house."

Sayori: "Okay!"

A few seconds later, the doorbell rings, and Sayori runs to the door.

Sayori: "Yuri! You're here!"

Sayori then traps Yuri in a big bear hug.

Yuri: "S-Sayori! That's enough!"

Sayori: "Hmph, looks like someone doesn't like hugs."

Aki: "Hey Yuri, don't mind her. She's just excited to see you."

Yuri: "It has been some time, hasn't it?"

Monika: "It sure has!"

Yuri: "I believe the last time we were together was… oh dear… nevermind."

Aki: "Hey, it's okay. You can talk about my trip to the hospital. What happened, happened. We can't change that now, right?"

Yuri: "I suppose you're right…"

Natsuki: "Jeez, way to kill the mood. Let's head to the mall! This time, I'm gonna beat you all in bowling!"

Aki: "Heh, we'll see."

Natsuki: "What was that?"

Aki: "We'll. See."

Natsuki: "Ho ho, acting all tough, eh?"

Aki: "Yep."

Monika: "Guys, leave the competition for when we actually get to the alley."

Aki: "Alright."

Natsuki: "Sounds good."

With that, we all begin the walk to the bowling alley. It's a weekday, and it's the middle of the day, so there shouldn't be much of a crowd at the mall today. It is a holiday though… oh well. We'll just have to wait and see. Once we arrive at the mall, we head straight to the bowling alley. Once again, I pay for the lane. We grab our bowling shoes, and head to our assigned lane.

Aki: "Well would you look at that."

Monika: "What is it?"

Aki: "The bowling order is by height."

Monika: "It is?"

Aki: "Yep. It's Yuri, me, you, Sayori, and then Natsuki."

Monika: "Wait, Yuri's taller than you?"

Aki: "Yep, only by a very little though."

Monika: "No way… hey Yuri!"

Yuri: "Yes, Monika?"

Monika: "Mind coming here for a minute?"

Yuri: "Sure…?"

What's Monika trying to pull?

Monika: "You two, stand back to back."

Aki: "Uhh… okay?"

Yuri and I stand back to back as instructed by Monika. I assume she's trying to compare our heights.

Monika: "Holy… wow. Aki, how tall are you?"

Aki: "A very reasonable five foot eight."

Monika: "When did you find out that Yuri is taller than you?"

Aki: "The very first day I joined the club. Although, I think I grew an inch since then."

Monika: "So… Yuri, you're five foot nine?"

Yuri: "Y-yes… why?"

Monika: "Nothing. Thanks!"

Monika then walks off to Sayori and Natsuki, leaving me with Yuri.

Yuri: "W-what was Monika trying to do just now?"

Aki: "Oh, she didn't believe me when I said that you were slightly taller than me. So, she wanted to see for herself."

Yuri: "Why would she want to compare?"

Aki: "Dunno. I told her that the bowling order is in height order, and I guess she assumed that I'd be the tallest since I'm a guy. Don't take it personally though, Yuri. I'm sure she didn't mean any harm."

Yuri: "O-okay…"

I then turn towards the others.

Aki: "Well, shall we get started?"

Everyone gives a positive response, and we begin our bowling game.